MONTREAL – Cédrika Provencher’s disappearance in 2007 resulted in one of the largest police searches in the province’s history.
“We will find her alive.”
Those were the words uttered by Cédrika’s father, Martin, eight years ago, after she went missing.
That glimmer of hope was shattered when her remains were found Friday night in Saint-Maurice, near Trois-Rivières, Quebec.
READ MORE: Remains of missing Quebec girl found
The executive director of the Missing Children’s Network, Pina Arcamone, described the shock families experience when they get this type of unexpected closure.
“When you get that knock on the door and law enforcement tells you your daughter’s been deceased… just those very few words means that all hope is gone,” she said.
READ MORE: Family marks 6-year-anniversary of Cedrika Provencher’s disappearance
Cédrika’s story is well known across Quebec.
“She had gone out, like a lot of children do, she had an assigned time to go back home and someone stopped her saying, ‘I lost my puppy. Can you help me find my puppy?'” Arcamone explained.
That was the last time she was seen. No arrests have been made, but police say the investigation is ongoing.
Cédrika’s disappearance resulted in one of the largest police searches in the province’s history. Everyone got involved, including Quebec’s Premier, Jean Charest.
Senator Pierre Boisvenu, whose daughter was kidnapped and murdered in 2002, told Global News why Cédrika’s story is so important.
“Information about that case went across Canada, to the United States and to Europe. The case is all about how we protect our kids,” he said.
READ MORE: The search for a freckle-faced Quebec girl
Cédrika’s father and grandfather each made statements on Facebook thanking everyone who helped with the search for allowing the family to overcome another step in this tragedy.
The news touched other parents who know what it’s like to learn that they will never be seeing their child come back home.
Liliane Cyr has been searching for her daughter Yohanna for 37 years. She hopes to attend Cédrika’s funeral and considers the Provenchers family.
“When we met, it was a sad thing because a kid was missing. But we hoped that when we would meet again next time, it would be because Cédrika was found,” she said.
Michel Surprenant, whose daughter Julie disappeared in 1999, described what it’s like to lose a child.
“It’s a storm. You are somewhere, but you don’t know where you are.”
Suprenant told Global News that he left a message for the Provencher family to lend his support.
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